Welcome to Eyecare Plus Optometrist Taree

Location

We are conveniently located across the road from the Video Ezy and the Royal Hotel in Victoria Street. There is disabled parking immediately in front of the office and the practice is wheelchair accessible.

Our Optometrists

Ted O'Neill
BOptom

Peter McKay
B.App.Sci.(Optom)(Hons)

Our Optometrists

Ted O'NeillBOptom

Ted has been practising at Taree since 1975 after studing at the University of New South Wales. Ted has a special interest in sports vision and contact lenses.

Peter McKayB.App.Sci.(Optom)(Hons)

Peter has been practising at Taree since 2000 after studying at the Queensland University of Technology. Peter has a special interest in contact lenses and diabetic eye care.

Trudi & Peter's journey to India - November 2013

Trudi (Optical Dispenser) and Peter (Optometrist) travelled to India in November 2013 to train sales staff and optometrists in patient communication and optical dispensing on behalf of Optometry Giving Sight.

In Hyderabad they stayed in a guest house at the LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) which is an eyecare Centre of Excellence. Simple procedures such as cataract surgery and LASIK are performed there, as well as treating more complex eye surgeries and diseases.

The LVPEI at Hyderabad includes an eye bank, microbiology lab and research facilities. They also supply low cost spectacles for patients. Half the consultations carried out throughout LVPEI are performed for free and non-paying patients are treated by the same doctors who treat the paying patients and have access to the same surgical facilities. The onsite laboratory can supply spectacles to patients within 1 hour.

Their first day of training optical sales staff was a rewarding experience. Trudi & Peter both trained the staff in subjects such as the importance of accurate measurements. They spoke to them about all aspects of retail sales and the importance of following up to ensure the patient is happy with their new purchase. Some were very keen to learn more on some particular topics such as face shapes and warm and cool colours so Trudi gave the
staff some one on one training in their workplace.

Peter and Trudi also visited the Bausch and Lomb School of Optometry in Kismatpur. This complex was set up by LVPEI to reduce the extreme shortage of qualified optometrists in India, as there are approximately 500 qualified optometrists to service a population of 1 billion people.

They visited some rural villages and their eye care facilities, where technicians carry out refractions and basic eye health checks. They provide complete spectacles from as low as 120 rupees (about $2 AUD).

Peter was the guest lecturer to optometry fellows, optometrists, and optometry interns in Vizag and via video conference to the smaller Vision Centre in Bhubaneswar. His lectures covered topics very similar to those at the Hyderabad campus and gave students the opportunity to ask questions on topics such as troubleshooting of progressive lenses and prescribing contact lenses.

Peter and Trudi were surprised that the average age for cataract surgery in India is much younger than patients we see in Australia. It can be as young as late 40's, often due to long exposure to bright sunlight.

After 2 weeks with LVPEI in India, Trudi and Peter feel grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to improving the quality of care of patients of LVPEI. There are aspects of customer service and communication that we often take
for granted in our own work which our Indian colleagues were eager to learn. Trudi & Peter had a great time and this adventure has certainly broadened their horizons. Thank you to Eyecare Plus and Optometry Giving Sight for making it happen.

Fundraising for Optometry Giving Sight

2013 - 50km Walk & BBQ

After an inspiring talk from Emma (Eyecare Plus Mill Park) at the biannual Eyecare Plus Conference, our practice decided to get involved in raising money for OGS by walking 50km and fundraising at the Bunnings BBQ.

On Saturday 8 September Lindy, Trudi, Peter, Angela and Ted attempted the 50km walk. We started off at North Haven at 5am.

After completing the Diamond Head Headland walk we rested at Kylie's Hut. We were able to change our shoes and socks, have our breakfast and refuel for the next leg of our walk.

We then walked from Kylies Hut to Crowdy Bay. This stretch involved walking on the beach up to the Crowdy Bay Surf Lifesaving Club where we took our shoes off, had a paddle and rested our blistered feet at the beach.

Continuing our final leg of our journey we headed to the Lighthouse at Crowdy Head, from there we walked on the beach and along the breakwall at Harrington where our 50km was completed at the local Harrington Hotel for dinner arriving there at 5:45pm.

Lolly Guessing Competitions

March 2012

After the success of our previous Lolly Guessing Competitions we decided to raise money for Optometry Giving Sight again.This was very successful as we raised over $400. We also advertised this fundraiser in the local newspapers at both Taree and Gloucester, we also discovered that we received donations from those passing by who read the article and wanted to just donate. Our winner was one of our Gloucester patients.

September / October 2011

During September and October 2011 we wanted to raise money for Optometry Giving Sight. We found this a very easy and successful way to raise much needed donations for this worthy cause. In total we raised $165.

History

The Taree practice began in 1943 when Webster, Jack and McDonald opened a branch after consulting at the neighbouring pharmacy for 25 years.

Charles Withers began practicing at Taree in 1955 and retired in 1996. Ted O'Neill joined the practice in 1975 after studing at the University of New South Wales. Peter McKay joined the practice in 2000 after studying at the Queensland University of Technology.

Ted and Peter practice in Taree and Gloucester. They are supported by a dedicated team of six optical assistants.